Haunted Manor Created by Local 14-Year-Old in Magee Ranch

HAYDEN PADGETT

For those looking for home-grown haunts Halloween night, a 'Brightwood Manor' in Magee Ranch offers such this year.

For a third year, the Rickey family's six-room spectacle will be brought to life by half a dozen actors as well as a host of clever tricks, all designed by 14-year-old Casey Rickey, a freshman at Monte Vista High.

“This year it is a haunted manor theme,” Rickey said. It has increased in size and scariness.

Rickey begins designing and building the house during the summer. Throughout October he and his family bring the intricate house together by hand. From the weathered graveyard at the entry, to the unpleasant dinner party in the dining room, Rickey has steadily built a show of detailed frights.

Rickey's grandfather encouraged him to build his created his first haunted house three years ago.

Each year, Rickey improved his original fright night spectacle by adding new rooms, recruiting local students to act as poltergeists and installing wicked technical scares.

“I like building the haunted house because I learn a lot from it, [but] overall, it’s just fun,” Rickey said.

Brightwood Manor is located on 37 Brightwood Lane East in Danville and will be open for fearful local trick-or-treaters starting at 6 p.m. on Halloween night.